Gelocht

Gelocht is an adjective used in German and Dutch to describe objects that have holes or perforations. The term is typically applied to materials such as metal, plastic, or paper that have been punched or drilled with a regular pattern of holes. In English, the equivalent descriptive term is perforated.

Etymology: The word derives from the verbs for punching holes: German löchern or Dutch lochen, with the past participle formed in the Germanic tradition as gelocht or gelöchert in related forms, yielding gelocht in standard usage. The construction reflects common Germanic grammar for participles used as adjectives.

Applications: In manufacturing and design, gelochte materials include perforated sheets (gelochte Bleche), filters, and screens, where the pattern, hole size, and spacing determine mechanical, acoustic, or filtration properties. Perforated metal is widely used for ventilation grilles, acoustic panels, architectural facades, and packaging inserts. Papers and textiles can also be gelocht to enable airflow or moisture passage, or to create decorative perforations.

Geographical and linguistic context: The term is most common in German- and Dutch-language technical documentation and catalogs. In English-language contexts, the English term perforated is preferred, though gelocht may appear in translations or product names.

See also: perforation; perforated sheet; sieve; filtration.